ISPs urged to move forwards by embracing IPv6 addresses

Internet service providers (ISPs) must help encourage the global adoption of broadband services by pressing ahead with plans to offer IPv6 addresses, it has been claimed.

According to the Number Resource Organisation (NRO), the existing IPv4 address pool is diminishing rapidly, and could be entirely depleted as early as next year.

Given that every web-enabled device needs an IP address to connect to the rest of the network, the NRO says it is essential that ISPs embrace next-generation addressing protocol – Ipv6.

A study conducted by the organisation found that just 60 per cent of broadband providers will offer such addresses to consumers by 2011, and 70 per cent to businesses, however ten per cent have no plans to offer IPv6 to either.

Axel Pawlik, Chairman of the NRO, said there is still a distinct lack of internet traffic over the next addressing protocol, with not enough broadband providers offering IPv6 services.

"It's critical that ISPs now take the next step in the global adoption effort by offering IPv6 services to their customers to help boost traffic," he commented.

Of the 84 per cent of organisations found to have requested an IPv6 address, three-quarters said they hoped this would help them stay ahead of the competition.

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